When an air conditioning compressor has "burned out" by shorting of internal components - it will fail to start at all. (Some readers describe spraying water on the condenser unit to speed cooling - (don't wet electrical switches & components.) Basic Electrical Tests on Air Conditioner or Heat Pump Compressor Motors If this is the problem, the motor should start normally once the unit has cooled down. An overheated motor may also leave the compressor motor "off" due to a tripped internal overload switch or a switch that has simply failed. Watch out: before assuming that the compressor motor is bad, when the unit won't start at all, check for a loose or disconnected electrical connection or a bad contactor relay. A service technician will use a VOM and typically will find low resistance (low Ohms) between one or more compressor terminals and ground.Ī VOM connected to the compressor circuit indicates that no current is being drawn, but the condenser fan is running properly. The compressor motor has burned out, is internally shorted or grounded.
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The compressor won't start, perhaps just hums, and the motor star/run capacitor(s) are ok or you've tried replacing that partĪs soon as the compressor tries to start the circuit breaker trips or fuse blows. Watch out for shock hazards or equipment damage: See TIGHT or SEIZED AC COMPRESSORS where we provide additional details about examining and measuring A/C and heat pump compressors to continue compressor condition diagnosis. The result can be a damaged or destroyed compressor motor.Īt REFRIGERANT FLOODBACK, LIQUID SLUGGING we explain how liquid refrigerant entering a heat pump or air conditioner compressor motor can destroy it and we discuss the recommended time that the system should be LEFT OFF if was switched off while it was runningĪnother sign of a failing air conditioning compressor is noisy motor operation, such as buzzing or clanking sounds coming from the outside unit housing the compressor motor.Īnother sign that might indicate a failing air conditioner compressor motor is an increase in the building's electrical bills even though the air conditioning system "on" time has not changed. Basic Diagnostic Clues Indicating a Failed A/C or Heat Pump Compressor MotorĪir conditioner failure warning signs: Before an air conditioning compressor fails solid you may notice that the unit is hard-starting, particularly when starting against a head pressure - someone switched the system off while the compressor was running, then tried turning it right back on. Below we give refrigerant pressure details that help make this decision. When an air conditioner / heat pump compressor can no longer develop proper pressures, even if its electric motor has not burned out, the unit will still need to be replaced. Out in either of these ways it needs to be replaced. Of the motor, or the windings may have burned and simply become "open" or disconnected. Irreparably damaged: the compressor motor windings may be burned and shorted together or shorted to the steel shell When a sealed compressor motor has "burned out" this means that the internal wiring of the motor has become
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Increased air conditioning electrical bills. Hard starting air conditioner compressor. When is a compressor at or near end of its life? Criteria for deciding that an air conditioner, heat pump, or refrigeration compressor needs to be replaced. Diagnose a Burned-Out Air Conditioning Compressor We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. Here we catalog and describe the causes of air conditioner or heat pump compressor failures and we suggest compressor motor diagnostic steps.
#Reason for motor winding burn how to#
How to diagnose and replace a burned out air conditioner compressor, includingĮvaluation of air conditioner compressor noises, hard starting, lost cooling capacity, and detection of a burned outĬompressor or A/C compressors at or near end of their life. This air conditioning repair article discusses the We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.Īir conditioner or heat pump compressor burn-out diagnosis & repair: InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest.